Intermediate — Set 31

Set 31 of Intermediate covers 5 words: effective, curious, miserable, estimate, accessible. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. effective · adjective/əˈfɛktɪv/

   producing the result that is wanted

   The teacher used lots of effective techniques to help us understand the subject.

   Synonyms: efficient, successful, productive

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin effectivus, from efficere ‘accomplish’ (see effect)

2. curious · adjective/ˈkjʊriəs/

   wanting to learn something

   Babies and little kids are very curious so they will touch, taste, and smell almost everything to learn more about them.

   Synonyms: interested, inquisitive

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French curios, from Latin curiosus ‘careful’, from cura ‘care’. curious (sense 2) dates from the early 18th century

3. miserable · adjective/ˈmɪzər(ə)b(ə)l/

   very unhappy or uncomfortable

   She was in a miserable situation after she lost her job and got kicked out of her house.

   Synonyms: unhappy, sad, uncomfortable

   Origin: late Middle English: from French misérable, from Latin miserabilis ‘pitiable’, from miserari ‘to pity’, from miser ‘wretched’

4. estimate · verb/ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/

   calculate the number, value, or quantity of something roughly

   Experts estimate that the new bridge will cost around $20 million and take three years to complete.

   Synonyms: assess, evaluate, calculate rouhgly

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin aestimat- ‘determined, appraised’, from the verb aestimare. The noun originally meant ‘intellectual ability, comprehension’ (only in late Middle English), later ‘valuing, a valuation’ (compare with estimation). The verb originally meant ‘to think well or badly of someone or something’ (late 15th century), later ‘regard as being, consider to be’ (compare with esteem)

5. accessible · adjective/əkˈsɛsəb(ə)l/

   easy to reach or get

   Health services are easily accessible in all parts of the country.

   Synonyms: available, reachable

   Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin accessibilis, from Latin access- ‘approached’, from the verb accedere (see accede)